KALIBO, Aklan – The security guard who killed a pawnshop manager here claimed he lost heavily in the card game pusoy and needed money.
Desperate to pay his debt, Mark Archie Rebenito Torrefiel said he bought a knife only to threaten Bonna Hercia Ambay to give him money on June 5. But he ended up repeatedly stabbing her.
The 31-year-old security guard and resident of Barangay Ipil, Batan, Aklan was arrested on Thursday in Pasig City.
He said he ran out of money and having nothing else, he let his pals in the card game take his motorcycle as security for his P8,000 debt.
Torrefiel claimed he was being pressured to pay on June 5.
Ambay, 23, was found dead inside RD Pawnshop Kalibo early morning on June 6. She had 18 stab wounds.
Torrefiel said he panicked when Ambay screamed and refused to help him with his debt.
After the stabbing, Torrefiel left the pawnshop but not without first breaking Ambay’s piggy bank, took away P3,000 and her cellphone.
Torrefiel said he hired a tricycle and went to Barangay Cajilo, Makato where he was temporarily staying, about 11 km west of the capital town.
Torrefiel said he knew he would be hunted so he decided to leave Aklan for Laguna province with his live-in partner.
“Sumakay kami sa ro-ro noong Linggo ng gabi. Nagbayad kami ng P1,600 bawat isa sa amin. Ginamit ko ang pera na nakuha ko sa pawnshop. Pagdating sa Batangas, tumuloy muna kami sa bahay ng kapatid ng partner ko sa Laguna,” said Torrefiel.
Police were able to track down Torrefiel in Barangay Pinagbuhatan, Pasig City on June 9, Thursday. He was arrested at around 12 noon.
Torrefiel had a robbery case in 2021. He was also a drug surrenderee in 2016 in Pasig City./PN
